By Randall Roenigk, MD*
The American Board of Dermatology has no plans to raise your annual fee for Continuing Certification. They have been $150 since instituted in 2006. If adjusted for inflation over the past 20 years, that’s a decrease in fees of over 60%. Over the years, we’ve become more efficient by relying on technological advances and excellent volunteers.
What Does the ABD Annual Fee cover?
The ABD’s annual fee is all-inclusive and gives diplomates access to all resources needed to fulfill continuing certification requirements, including CertLink and Focused Practice Improvement activities. Additionally, ABD diplomates have access to important journal articles in the CertLink Library, and can earn up to 15 CME credits per year for participating in CertLink and 20 CME credits for some practice improvement activities. That being said…
Your annual fees are not optional.
They are due by December 31 each year. Starting in 2027, all diplomates must stay up to date with fees and submit payment annually by this deadline. Carrying fees over from year to year will not be permitted.
What happens if I don’t pay my annual fee?
If you do not pay your fee by the end of the year, then you will lose access to the ABD’s Continuing Certification tools including CertLink and the focused Practice Improvement modules, until all overdue fees are paid. Once paid, your access will be restored.
An important caveat: If your certificate expires in 2025, you must pay all fees by December 31, 2025, to remain certified.
Can I lose my certification if I don’t pay my fees?
Your certification will lapse if you do not meet all Continuing Certification requirements every five years. It will not lapse because you do not pay your fees, but you will be unable to participate in your Continuing Certification program if your fees are overdue.
Contact us if you have questions.
If you have questions about your fees or need help generating an invoice, contact the ABD office.
*About the Author
Dr. Roenigk is the Executive Director of the American Board of Dermatology. In addition, he is a consultant (full-time faculty) and former chair of the Department of Dermatology and Division of Dermatologic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. A professor of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, he also holds the Robert H. Kieckhefer Professorship in Dermatology at the Mayo Foundation.
All ABD Annual Fees must be paid as part of your Continuing Certification Program.
